Smith's 218 yards and four touchdowns sparks big second half for Blue Devils

Comella compiled 155 all-purpose yards on Saturday (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

EASTON, Mass. (November 19, 2022) – Central Connecticut State University outscored Stonehill College 27-0 in the second half, scoring 20 points in the third quarter alone, on its way to a 39-14 victory in Northeast Conference football action on Senior Day at Timothy J. Coughlin, '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium this afternoon.

Senior running back Nasir Smith locked up the NEC rushing title with 218 yards on 29 carries, averaging 7.7 yards per attempt, and four touchdowns for the afternoon. Postgrad quarterback Shon Mitchell was an efficient 13-for-15 for 235 yards through the air and two touchdowns, with one of those scores going to sophomore Erik Surratt who finished with 132 yards on seven total receptions.

Prior to the game, Stonehill honored 21 fifth-years and seniors who took part in the final game of their collegiate career as the Skyhawks capped their inaugural NCAA Division I FCS season as members of the NEC. Two of those honorees, senior tight end Cam Boes and fifth-year offensive lineman Joe Bastante scored touchdowns for the Skyhawks in their final games. 

Leaders

Lorick led the Skyhawks defense with eight tackles and an interception (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Stonehill

Tom Comella Junior, Running Back: 155 all-purpose yards, with a career-high 19 carries for 84 yards, to go with another 66 yards on three kickoff returns. 

Ashur Carraha Sophomore, Quarterback: 139 total yards, 16-for-30, 103 yards, touchdown, six carries for 36 yards. 

Masyn Lorick Fifth-year, Safety: Eight tackles (four solo), interception. 

Michael Lockavitch Junior, Defensive End: Career-high seven tackles (four solo), including career-best 2.5 for a loss of eight yards, 0.5 sacks for loss of four. 

CCSU

Smith: 29 carries for 218 yards, four touchdowns.

Mitchell: 13-for-15 passing for 235 yards, two touchdowns.

Surratt: Seven receptions, 132 yards, touchdown. 

Chizi Umunakwe Senior, Linebacker: 12 tackles (five solo), including 1.5 for a loss of six yards, with 1.0 sacks for a loss of five. 

Isaiah Green Junior, Cornerback: Two interceptions, pass breakup, three tackles (two solo).

Carraha threw a touchdown pass and recorded 139 total yards (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

How it Happened

• Both teams scored on their first possessions of the game, with Carraha connecting with Boes for an eight-yard touchdown toss to cap a 14-play, 75-yard opening drive that consumed 7:06.
• Central answered with an eight-play, 60-yard drive that Smith closed out with a 30-yard touchdown jaunt with four minutes left in the first quarter.
• The Blue Devils took the lead midway through the second quarter with a big 13-play, 92-yard drive that ate 8:21, capped by a 26-yard Mitchell touchdown pass to sophomore Isaiah Williams.
• Stonehill reclaimed the lead with 20-seconds left in the half with Bastante's first career touchdown on the first carry of his career at the end of a two-minute drill for the Skyhawks heading into halftime.
• Central erupted for 20 points in the third quarter, starting with a 15-yard touchdown run for Smith to cap the nine-play, 56-yard opening drive of the half.
• Mitchell hit Surratt for a 70-yard touchdown pass on the first play after Stonehill turned the ball over on downs on its first possession of the second half and extend the Blue Devils lead to 25-14 with five minutes left in the quarter.
• Smith capped the CCSU scoring with touchdown runs of ten yards with 1:13 remaining in the third and then a 38-yard run with 3:42 to play to seal the win.

��NOT A TYPO��

OL Joe Bastante takes it in for a 3-yard TD rush around the end!@StonehillFB 14, Central Conn. State 12 (0:13-2nd)#GoHill #NECFB #NECPride #SCtop10 @NECFrontRow | @ESPNCFB | @ESPNAssignDesk | @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/zHpLqrtBk7

— Stonehill Athletics (@GoStonehill) November 19, 2022

Noteworthy

• Central Connecticut finished with 480 total yards, including 222 on the ground and 258 through the air, while Stonehill totaled 276.
• Bastante, who scored his first career touchdown with the three-yard run, is a two-time All-Conference offensive lineman for Stonehill, with first team All-Northeast-10 honors in 2021, and two-year captain for the Skyhawks.
• Stonehill suffered just its fourth loss when holding a halftime lead in its seven years with head coach Eli Gardner at the helm, having now posted a 24-4 mark with a halftime lead with Gardner in charge.
• Smith's 218 rushing yards are tied for ninth all-time in W.B. Mason Stadium history, with the four touchdowns one shy of the W.B. Mason Stadium record by Stonehill's Justin Felder '22 against Southern Connecticut State on September 11, 2021.
• Smith finished the year with an NEC-best 1,219 yards on 231 carries and 13 touchdowns, averaging 110.8 yards per game and 5.3 yards per attempt.

Up Next:

Stonehill closes out its inaugural NCAA Division I FCS season with a 4-5 record overall, including 2-5 in its first Northeast Conference season. Central Connecticut finishes at 2-9 overall, including 2-5 in the NEC.

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